as in to disdain
to show contempt for
arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art
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Recent Examples of contemn
Consequently, the Sadrists were contemned and discounted by Iraq’s liberal elite who form the core of the ICP.
—
Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018
Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemn
Verb
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At his behest Aurangzeb—who disdained poetry—sent agents across India and Persia to assemble a literary circle befitting her.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In Sondheim’s body of work, Okrent searches for the autobiographical resonances that Sondheim himself mostly disdained.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Niall, for his part, only comes to hate himself more as gay acceptance goes mainstream, his initial distress over his sexuality compounded by humiliation at being unable to get past that distress.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Pahlavi is the son of Iran’s former shah, who was so widely hated that millions took to the streets in 1979 to force him from power.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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Bugles are very disrespected these days.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Larysa was stuck in Belarus, a country allied with Russia that Nataliia despised and had refused to move to, despite her daughter’s many pleas.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Critics say this would come with strict reporting requirements, something dispensaries may despise and the DEA may not be ready for.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jones also trumpeted his goal to phase out Georgia's income tax, but an ambitious cut withered after being scorned by Kemp, who is wrapping up his final term in office, and state House Republicans.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Around another corner is Hagar in the Wilderness (1875), still inhabiting the wasteland around her after being scorned by Abraham.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemn. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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